Homemade LÄRABAR

So after all the cookies, cakes, pudding, eggnog, hot chocolate, chocolate, candy, and everything else we vacuumed into our stomachs this holiday season, I think some healthy eating is definitely in order.

Instead of picking up another cookie, snack on something sweet yet packed with awesome ingredients like dried fruit and nuts!

I am trying to get back on track after all the Christmas sweets and these are a great little dessert substitute when you're craving sweets.

I occasionally buy LÄRABAR's for a snack between classes that gives me energy. They are literally made out of less than 5 ingredients. The ingredients list is: almonds, dates, dried fruit. They really are a great bar with no added preservatives or icky fillers.

That being said, I come to you with great news! Now you can make these bars in the comfort of your own home with three ingredients and about 10 minutes of your time. These are honestly the easiest thing I have ever made. And they're GREAT!

Save money. Make your own bars. Be awesome. Eat better!

Toast the almonds in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until they become very fragrant. Watch them so they don't burn! Burnt nuts make for a not so cool homemade LÄRABAR. Trust me



Chop those nuts! Leave a few good chunkers in there if ya so desire

I used dried blueberries because I love LÄRABAR's blueberry muffin bar. But you can really use whatever dried fruit you want! Dried cherries, raisins, cranberries...




Now things get personal. Get your hands all up in this, and spread the nuts evenly throughout the mushy dried fruit.

 Press down into a pan and put in the fridge! And that's all folks! Now enjoy being awesome and frugal with a delicious homemade LÄRABAR in your hand.

 Homemade LÄRABAR 

adapted from this recipe

Ingredients:

 1 1/4 cups medjool dates, pitted
1 1/4 cups dried blueberries (or any other dried fruit!)
1 1/2 cups almonds, toasted

Directions:

To toast the almonds, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for ten minutes. Remove from oven and transfer the almonds to a bowl or plate to cool.

Place dates and cherries in a food processor and pulse until a gooey semi-paste has formed (you want some bits of fruit, but not huge pieces). Empty the dried fruit into a large mixing bowl. Put the almonds in the food processor and pulse to coarse bits. You don’t want to make this a powder. Empty the almonds into the mixing bowl with the dried fruit. Knead the dried fruit and almonds together until combined and evenly distributed.

 Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan to about 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes. Invert the pan’s contents onto a cutting board and slice to desired size.